Trần Quốc Cường, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of Điện Province Provincial Party Committee; and Lê Thành Đô, Vice Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, presided over the meeting. Attendees included members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, and members of the Steering Committee on the Projects in Comprehensive Plan of Activities to Commemorate 70th Annivesary of Điện Biên Phủ Victory.

At the meeting, participants listened to a report on the status and results of project implementation under the comprehensive plan for the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory. The projects include: rural electrification project from the national grid, the conservation and restoration of the Điện Biên Phủ stronghold centre combined with replanting trees at the heritage sites, urban renovation projects in Điện Biên Phủ City, and the conservation and restoration project of the Him Lam resistance centre relic (Phase II).

The rural electrification project has a total investment of VNĐ 1.26 trillion (US$49.5 million) with implementation time between 2024 and 2026. Currently, construction has commenced on three out of seven component projects (in Mường Ảng, Nậm Pồ, and Điện Biên districts). For the remaining four component projects, investors are focusing on completing bidding procedures, approving tender results, signing contracts, and initiating construction, with a completion deadline set for December 25, 2024. Additionally, efforts are being made to review and complete procedures for advances, acceptance, and disbursement of investment funds as per regulations.

Delegates at the meeting addressed challenges in project implementation, noting that the projects involve large-scale investments and fall under Group B, requiring a two-step design process and compliance with preparation procedures, which are time-consuming. The rural electrification project spans multiple remote and isolated communes, with a relatively large scope, they also remarked. In addition, the 2024 budget allocates VNĐ500 billion from central government contingency funds, requiring disbursement by December 31, 2024, which also places significant pressure on fund utilisation and payment schedules.

Addresing the meeting, Điện Biên Party Secretary Trần Quốc Cường commended the efforts of the provincial and district steering committees in implementing the rural electrification project. He urged the Điện Biên’s Department of Industry and Trade to coordinate with the Department of Planning and Investment to advise on organising simultaneous groundbreaking ceremonies for the remaining component projects.

Emphasis was placed on selecting competent contractors and intensifying communication efforts to mobilise the public to actively donate land to serve the implementation of the project. He also instructed media agencies, particularly Điện Biên Phủ Newspaper and the provincial Radio and Television Station, to continue monitoring and promptly reporting on the project's progress to strengthen communication efforts.

News & Photos: Sầm Phúc